More than a third of us find it hard to declutter

Julian Hearne

A new survey has revealed that people just love to hold on to things and struggle to let go of items - even when they’ll never use them again.

Figures showed that 79 per cent of people have space in their home full of items they know they don’t need or use – for 31 per cent it’s a drawer, 28 per cent it’s a cupboard and for 19 per cent it’s a whole room.

And more shockingly one in 10 people never have a clear out and the majority of people (64 per cent) have a clear out only once a year at the most.

The research by insurance specialist RIAS, said: “People seem to struggle to let go of material things, often citing emotional attachment or sentimental reasons for holding onto unnecessary items.

“It seems to be a subconscious decision to simply hold onto things even though it’s known there’s no need or use for them anymore. Items are kept out of sight and never used, but hold comfort simply in the knowledge they are there. For many people this “comfort” extends from a kitchen drawer to occupying an entire room.”

The research also found that when moving home – a key opportunity to clear out clutter and reappraise belongings – people decide to take the junk with them. In fact, 55 per cent of people who have moved home in the last five years said they didn’t clear out their possessions when they moved. Once in their new home 79 per cent realised they had hung on to items they shouldn’t have.

Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Forrester

She said: “Attempts to avoid unpleasant, negative feelings is a key reason for not tackling clutter. When we come face-to-face with these items, it remindeds us of money spent, so getting rid of them feels wasteful, and leads to further feelings of guilt.”